If you’re a retailer looking for a POS system, you have most likely come to a point where you need to decide between a cloud-based solution and a traditional system. Buying a POS system is a long-term investment and in today’s world, a business’ needs change often.

But what are the differences between cloud-based and traditional POS systems? Let’s take a look.

Legacy or Cloud POS?

One of the major differences between legacy and cloud-based POS systems is 
data collection
. If you have a legacy (traditional) POS system, your data is collected and stored on local servers and runs through a closed internal network. Local servers can be vulnerable in terms of crashing and leaving you without a service. In today’s world, delays can cause you to lose your customers, and no merchant can afford to be out of business for very long due to technical problems.

With a cloud POS system, of course, your data is always stored in the cloud. This doe not only means that your data is more protected than in a legacy POS system but also offers much more mobility. For example, it is always easier to engage customers with a mobile POS, not forgetting the ability to view all of your reporting in real time while having a complete access to your entire database from any location with an internet connection. And did you know, most cloud-based POS software works offline too? Therefore, losing your internet connection won’t mean losing your sales.

Easy-to-use POS solutions save you time. Not all retailers have an in-house IT expert, so complicated POS systems can create a headache for businesses. A cloud-based POS is often less complicated and, more importantly, the problems you face can be handled directly by the provider. When any issues you encounter can be taken care of promptly in this way, you save not only time but money too.



Lower Costs with A Cloud-based POS

Arguably one of the biggest advantages of a cloud-based POS is in their pricing. Most cloud-based POS or ERP software companies offer a monthly payment plan, which can be a more suitable option than legacy POS systems for small and medium-sized businesses. As the software provider, the POS company covers all data backups and future upgrades, and won’t surprise you with additional charges as the product develops and improves. Legacy POS systems first require upfront fees, then additional maintenance fees if you want to upgrade to newer versions. SaaS structure doesn’t require these costs and provides you uninhibited access to the latest updates as they become available...

In addition, cloud-based POS software is accessed via a web browser, which means that unlike legacy POS systems, merchants don’t need to invest in expensive new equipment to run the software.

A Long-term Solution for Your Business

The ability to easily upgrade your POS system is of benefit to any business. As a retailer, your needs and resources can change often, such as occurrences like the need to add new locations and integrate them into a payment system. Adding or taking away features from a cloud-based POS subscription is extremely easy, so you can always adjust it according to your needs.  

Integrating your POS with alternative payment options can increase your customer revenue. New and innovative payment methods continue to surface at a surprising rate, and consumers expect to be able to take advantage of them when they visit a retailer. Cloud-based POS systems allow you to integrate with a multitude of payment options such as Afterpay, Apple Pay, ZipPay and other complementary software for CRM and e-commerce.

About Erply

We provide cloud-based, iPad-oriented Point of Sale and Inventory Management software for retailers, with a focus on multi-store operations. Our goal is to allow retailers to focus more on business and less on IT, by providing a solution that is easy to use, cost-effective, and technologically superior. Erply’s cloud-based platform allows you to integrate into multiple payment options, e-commerce platforms, accounting software and many more.

Erply manages all areas of your retail organisation including point of sale, sales back office, inventory management, employee payroll, accounting, customer CRM, multi-channel/ e-commerce and more, in a single integrated system.